Page 45 of The Lost Princess

“Nasi! No!”

I couldn’t control my body; the shaking limbs, nor the adrenaline that fueled my panic. The darkness lingered, waiting for a weak moment, waiting to take over again.

I wouldn’t let it. I wouldn’t succumb to it.

The large pot hung over the fire, soup bubbling away happily. I’d stolen it from the same farmer that attacked me. The memory of the agony in my wings was like a shock to my brain, and the darkness momentarily retreated.

I was able to stop my body, and collect myself. I blinked, standing in front of the fire with sudden clarity, Kaida’s concerned yet calm eyes looking back at me. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her lips parted slightly.

“Tell me what I said that upset you. It’s always something I say,” she muttered to herself, eyes falling to the floor.

Horror infused me. How could she think any of this was her fault? I tried to articulate the necessary words, but they wouldn’t come. I just stared at her, at a loss for words.

You are a mess. I wouldn’t be surprised if she left tonight while you are sleeping, the darkness whispered.

New fears, new things to worry about.

The blackness came faster. More relentless. I did the only thing I could think of. I grabbed the edge of the scalding pot over the fire, and hung on.

Kaida may have yelled, but I focused on the pain. The agonizing heat, the blisters that burst open on my palms and fingers. The darkness reared on itself and vanished almost instantly.

“NASI!”

Kaida’s hands were on my wrists, breaking my grip from the pot. Her momentum carried us backwards, falling to the ground next to the fire. We both went down hard, ending with her splayed on top of me. My hands hurt like hell, but my mind was clear, and my own.

“Why did you do that?” Gentle hands seized mine. With a blink, I realized Kaida was crying. Oh. I hadn’t meant to upset her.

“Bite me right now,” she ordered, her indigo eyes fierce. Her legs wrapped around my waist, as if she thought she could hold me in place.

I was at the point where I didn’t want to argue anymore. I could admit I was desperate; desperate to keep her here with me. I would show her what it would truly mean to be mine.

I turned my head and dipped down, taking her by surprise as I bit deep into her inner thigh.

Her body jerked, then a throaty moan left her that went straight to my groin. I was in control again, so I only took a few mouthfuls. Enough to heal the worst, but not all of it. I needed to keep some of the pain. The pain would keep me grounded and centered. It would make sure I didn’t go feral again.

It wasn’t the best of plans, but it was the only one I had.

When my hands no longer burned and simply stung, I withdrew my fangs and licked the wound closed.

Kaida’s hands buried themselves in my hair, pulling.

That elicited a growl from me, my inner draken practically purring at the challenge. After I licked the wound closed, I continued the trail with my tongue up her inner thigh. My hand skimmed along behind it, gliding up and down her skin. I kissed the apex of her thighs, parting the thin fabric of her skirt. She practically shoved my head in between her legs.

If that wasn’t consent, I didn’t know what was.

My tongue darted out, giving her one tentative lick the length of her slit. Kaida inhaled sharply, her body tightening and her fingers digging further into my scalp.

“Say the word and I’ll stop,” I growled against her cunt.

“I’ll rip your throat out,” she snarled, her thighs tightening around my neck. Never had I been more turned on than in that moment.

One hand went on her hip, gripping her pelvic bone and pinning her in place on my face. My tongue delivered deeper into her core, obsessed with dragging more noises from her. My inner draken agreed this was a worthy pursuit.

Make her writhe in ecstasy. Make her want you so she never leaves.

That didn’t seem too unreasonable. I was tired of fighting my instincts, and fighting my inner draken. Kaida clearly wanted me, and it felt nice to be wanted, and to be needed. If giving in now meant she stayed longer, then I would do it

I would do anything for her.

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